Golf ball retriever



Feb. 28, i967 A. T. zAGwYN 3,3%,649

GOLF BALL RETRIEVER Filed April ze, 1965 United States Patent 3,306,649 GOLF BALL RETRIEVER Anthony T. Zagwyn, Delavan, Wis., assignor to A .I Industries Corporation, Delavan, Wis., a corporation of Wiscousin Filed Apr. 28, 1965, Ser. No. 451,494 Claims. (Cl. 294-19) The present invention relates to golf ball retrieving devices and more .particularly to a lightweight lgolf ball retriever.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lightweight and compact golf -ball retriever particularly suitable for carrying and employment by an individual golfer.

It is a `further object of the invention to provide a golf ball retrieving device `for easily retrieving a golf ball from water, ground obstacles, traps, or other difficult locations, which golf ball retriever is lightweight and compact yet has sufficient extension and strength to extract the golf ball from such locations.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a low cost golf ball retrieving device which may be cornpactly stored, yet readily extends and opens into a high strength lball netting basket configuration particularly suited for removing an individual golf ball from Water, mud, weeds or other obstructing materials.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary golf ball retriever embodying the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the gol-f ball retriever of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a frontal view of the golf ball retriever of FIGURES l and 2 in its storage .or folded position;

FIGURE 4 is a partial cross sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a partial cro-ss sectional View taken along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 4.

The golf ball retriever comprises basically an annular member slightly larger in diameter than a golf ball secured to an elongate telescoping handle, which annular -member has a plurality of elongate arcuate retaining means secured theret-o. The retaining means are preferably rotatable into alignment with the annular member for compact storage, and rotatable into a basket configuration with said annular member to provide a high strength lightweight golf Iball retriever.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG- URE l, the exemplary golf ball retriever illustrated therein is indicated generally -by the reference number 10. An annular band 12 is secured to one end of an elongate telescoping handle 14 and has a first lbail member 15 and a second .bail member 16, each rotatably mounted ibetween opposite sides of the band.

Referring specifically to the band 12, this band preferably provides the primary structural member for the -golf ball capturing .portion of the ball retriever and also defines the aperture 18 or open mouth of the retrieve-r. This aperture 18 is preferably slightly larger in diameter than an individual standard golf iball. The band 12 is preferably constructed from a thin strip or ribbon of stainless steel, aluminum or other suitable material `bent into a closed circle to -forrn a thin cylindrical band.

It will be observed from FIGURE 3 that only the thin edge of the band is presented axially thereof, while the width of the band, which is substantially Vgreater than its thickness, extends axially of the iband. Thereby the band 12 presents maximum strength and minimum profile in its lCC axial direction, in which direction it presents its mouth and is moved in retrieving a ball.

The band 12 is preferably mounted securely to the end of the elongate handle 14 by an integral extension 20 of the band 12. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, a preferred construction of the extension 20 is to position the two ends of the strap forming the band together in parallel contact and in radial extension from the band. The end of the handle 14 then preferably encloses and secures together this integral extension.

To provide mounting lfor the bails 15 and 1-6, the band 12 pre-ferably has four s-mall apertures 22 therethrough evenly spaced around the band. Thus each aperture 22 is ydiarnetrically opposite another aperture 22 at the opposite side of the band. The apertures 22 are preferably located so that the integral extension 20 is spaced from any one of them.

Turning now to the two substantially identical bails 15 and 16, they are preferably lightweight .unitary and semi-circular resilient members. When the Ibails are unfolded they mutually form an effective ball retrieving net or mesh basket in combination with the band 12, which provides the rim and support therefor. The two bails are preferably mounted radially disoriented from one another by approximately degrees so that in the unfolded upright or bail position they are at right angles to one another. When each bail is rotated into the bail position it is preferably at the maximum extension from the band, and at right angles thereto.

The preferred manner of fastening of each bail to the band is by pivotally m-ounting the en-ds of each .bail through diametrically opposite apertures 22. Thus each -bail extends arcuately across the band 12 between opposing sides. Any suitable pivotal securing -means may lbe employed. In the configuration disclosed the ends of the bails are deformed into smooth retaining portions, so that the bail is freely rotatable with respect to the band yet secured therefrom.

The compact foldability of the retrieving device is provided `by a bail configuration which allows each bail to be rotated into flush alignment with the .band 12, closely spaced 4from the bands surface. In the configuration shown each bail folds into a position around one-half of the outside surface of the band. Accordingly the preferred shape and dimensions of `each bail are substantially the same as the exterior of the band.

It will be noted that the 'cylindrical exterior surface of the band 12 is preferably chordal to the surface of revolution of each bail. This factor is preferably employed to retain the band in the folded position. The size of leach bail is preferably such that the edges of the band interfere with the rotation thereof and provide resistance to forcing the bail over the edge of the band. The bail is preferably sufficiently slightly larger in circumference then the band so that it will pass the edge tfnf the bail but only with the application of some external orce.

Each of the bails 15 and 16 is preferably elongate, providing a small cross sectional area in relation to its length. This provides a minimum profile for substantially unobstructed movement of the net formed by the bails through mud, Water, gravel or other materials. Thus there is a minimum resistance to the retrieving movements of the retriever through such material.

The preferred material for the bails is round metal wire of stainless steel, aluminum or other suitable material. A high strength material is preferred as it allows a small diameter or cross sectional area and therefor a minimum profile.

To maintain the bails 15 and 16 in the bail position the golf ball retriever 10 may provide detention means. A preferred detention means is provided by constructing and mounting the hails as shown so that they mutually resiliently engage one another in the hail position. That is, the hails springedly ahut one another.

Additional detention may he provided by suitable means such as the illustrated detents 24 and 26 at the midpoints of the hails. As particularly shown in FIG- URES 4 and 5, a detent or notch 24 on the hail 15 engages in a detent 26 on the bail 16, allowing the hails to interlock. The exibility and resiliency of the hails allow them to he moved in or out of this interlocked engagement without substantial force.

Turning to the preferred handle 14, this is a three section telescoping tubular aluminum handle. It is extendable to a substantial length for retrieving golf balls from various obstacles. The tubular telescoping construction allows the handle 14 to he carried directly in a golf bag since it has a relatively small diameter and a retracted length comparable to a golf club shaft. Preferably the smallest diameter section is connected to the band 12.

A preferred arrangement for securing the handle 14 to the hand 12 is to partially fiatten or crimp the end portion 28 of the end-most tubular section of the handle so that it forms an aperture therein corresponding generally in shape to the integral extension 20 from the hand. This flattened portion 28 may then he tightly mounted over the integral extension 20. Further retention is preferably provided by a conventional rivet or other suitable fastening means.

The operation of the golf ball retriever is simple, convenient and effective. The handle 14 may first be eX- tended to the length most suitable for retrieving the hall from the particular obstacle. The hails 15 and 16 will normally he in their compact storage position with each hail in fiush alignment with the band 12. To form the retriever configuration each bail is rotated out of alignment with the hand 12 into the hail position. The two hails resiliently engage one another and are thereby selfretained or interlocked in the upright hail position, additionally secured by the mating detents 24 and 26. Holding the handle 14 the golfer then fishes or nets for the golf ball, moving the open mouth or aperture 18 of the retriever toward the ball. The hall passes through the band 12 and is retained or netted in the open mesh basket defined hy the hails.

A principal advantage of the retriever 10, in addition to its lightweight portability and compact folding storage, is its retrieving operation in mud, weeds and other ohstructions. The previously described construction of the hand 12 provides a very thin or knife edge profile to the movement of the band through the obstructing material. Similarly the hails offer a minimum area and resistance. Accordingly the retriever can be easily forced through such material to net the ball, and the width of the hand provides sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the resistance that is encountered. Further, since the hails are each suspended concavely from the hand with respect to the movement of the retriever, the material forced through the retriever places only non-deflective tension forces upon the hails. The retriever is not clogged or obstructed in such fishing operations since the large open mesh configuration preferably provided by only two hails allows any materials significantly smaller than the golf ball to freely pass between the hails, and any material significantly larger than the golf ball will not pass through the hand.

It may be seen that there has been disclosed herein a novel golf ball retriever having a low cost, lightweight construction and compact portability together with an efficient high strength hall retrieving action. Numerous modifications and variations of ball retrievers in accordance with the invention will he apparent to one skilled in the art, and it is intended to encompass in the following claims all such variations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A retrieving device for a golf hall, said retrieving device comprising: an elongate telescoping handle; a thin cylindrical band secured to one end of said handle, said band providing an opening therethrough somewhat larger than said golf hall; a pair of elongate semi-circular hails independently rotatably secured to said hand at right angles to one another, the ends of each hail being secured at diametrically opposite positions on said band, said hails being rotatable into flush alignment with said band and rotatable out of alignment with said hand t0 define a golf ball retaining mesh basket.

2. A retrieving device for a golf ball, said retrieving device comprising: an elongate telescoping handle; a thin cylindrical tubular hand secured to one end of said handle, said hand providing an opening therethrough somewhat larger than said golf hall; a pair of elongate semi-circular resilient hails independently rotatably secured to said hand at right angles to one another, the ends of each bail being secured at diametrically opposite positions on 'said hand, said hails each being rotatable into flush alignment with said hand and rotatable out of alignment with said hand into a position at right angles thereto and in resilient engagement with one another to define a golf ball retaining mesh basket.

3. A retrieving device for an individual golf hall, said retrieving device comprising: a thin cylindrical tubular hand secured to one end of said handle, said band providing an opening therethrough somewhat larger than said golf hall; a pair of similar elongate semi-circular resilient hails independently rotatably secured to said hand at right angles to one another, the ends of each bail being secured at diametrically opposite positions on said band, said hails being rotatable into flush alignment with said hand and rotatable into a bail position at right angles to said band resiliently engaging one another and dening a golf ball retaining mesh basket; detention means acting on said hails to secure said hails in said bail position; an elongate telescoping handle; and an extension from said band spaced from said hails mounting said band to said handle.

4. The retrieving device of claim 3 wherein said detention means comprises central detents on said hails resiliently securing said hails to one another.

5. A retrieving device for a golf hall, said retrieving device comprising: an elongate telescoping handle; a cylindrical band secured to one end of said handle, said hand providing an opening therethrough somewhat larger than a golf hall; and at least a pair of elongate and generally semicircular hails, said hails having opposing ends rotatably secured to opposing sides of said hand, said hails heing radially spaced on said band intersecting one another, and said hails being rotatable only about their said opposing ends into alignment with said hand and rotatable out of alignment with said band to define a golf ball retaining mesh basket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 209,707 11/1878 Oston 220-96 1,659,482 2/1928 Dennemark 294-19 2,127,607 8/1938 Levow 294-67 3,141,696 7/1964 Nau 294-19 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RETRIEVING DEVICE FOR A GOLF BALL, SAID RETRIEVING DEVICE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATE TELESCOPING HANDLE; A THIN CYLINDRICAL BAND SECURED TO ONE END OF SAID HANDLE, SAID BAND PROVIDING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH SOMEWHAT LARGER THAN SAID GOLF BALL; A PAIR OF ELONGATE SEMI-CIRCULAR BAILS INDEPENDENTLY ROTATABLY SECURED TO SAID BAND AT RIGHT ANGLES TO ONE ANOTHER, THE ENDS OF EACH BAIL BEING SECURED AT DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE POSITIONS ON SAID BAND, SAID BAILS BEING ROTATABLE INTO FLUSH ALIGNMENT WITH SAID BAND AND ROTATABLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH SAID BAND TO DEFINE A GOLF BALL RETAINING MESH BASKET. 